Boeheim addressed Wednesday’s fatal car accident on I-690 following Syracuse’s game against Duke. He said he felt an obligation to his players to coach.
Jim Boeheim entered the Carrier Dome on Saturday to a standing ovation. One of solidarity in his first public appearance since his involvement in a fatal car accident on Wednesday that killed Jorge Jimenez.
Boeheim raised a hand to acknowledge the applause, but his head stayed down.
He stared ahead, locked into the moment, until he reached his friend Mike Krzyzewski and the two hugged. Coach K said it was the first time they did, even after multiple gold medals with Team USA.
Over the last three days Boeheim said he talked to people who faced similar circumstances to the one he endured on Wednesday. He reached out to the Jimenez family and gave his condolences. He talked before the game with his friend Krzyzewski and addressed the Syracuse Orange at practice.
None of it took away the feeling, one he said he could not describe, and one that will stick with him for life. He felt he owed it to the players he recruited to return and coach them only three days after an accident he was involved in took someone’s life.
“This is never going away,” Boeheim said. “Tuesday it’s not going to be any better. It’s not going to be any better next week. It’s not going to be better next month. It’s not going to be better next year.”
Boeheim opened his post-game presser expressing his devastation that he was involved in Wednesday’s accident and for the “unimaginable” grief the Jimenez family is facing. He said it doesn’t matter how he feels, this is about the Jimenez family.
“I don’t think I can make anybody understand who hasn’t been there,” Boeheim said.
The Carrier Dome held a moment of silence for Jimenez, 51 of Syracuse, who died Wednesday night. A tribute was read in both English and Spanish before the game.
Boeheim spoke for 10 minutes following the contest, largely addressing the support he received in his return to the Carrier Dome and his conversation with Krzyzewski, an emotional one that reminded him that life doesn’t always play out the way you want it to.
He breathed a deep sigh and paused for moments, in the midst of a difficult time. He requested game questions after his statement, but still talked about his emotions in a “difficult time for all of us.”
“It was such a sincere showing of emotion,” Coach K said. “It was really beautiful and I commend the Syracuse community and the fans for doing it in that way.”
Buddy Boeheim, watched the ovation and got goosebumps. Krzyzewski said he got caught in it too, clapping along with the fans for Boeheim. Everybody who spoke after the game said they were glad Boeheim returned to the team.
“That’s what he does,” Coach K said. He thought Boeheim got swept up in the pre-game emotion too. “We embraced and that was very emotional for me because I knew he was feeling this. He’s a tough guy and it’s all about his team and everybody, but this guy’s a hell of a guy.”
The two locked into another battle. Boeheim dug into referees. Coach K adjusted late and won the game, then his mind turned back to his friend after the brief two hours of normalcy. Frank Howard said that normalcy — basketball — brightens up Boeheim and in turn the team.
“They needed me to try to do my job tonight,” Boeheim said. “They understand I did this feeling fully the weight of the tragic accident and its impact on the Jimenez family. This is something that will be with me for the rest of my life.”
